Crop Swaps

Have you heard about or interested in hosting a crop swap?

Check out this Crop Swap Aotearoa for great advice for setting up a crop swap.

The Crop Swap idea is so simple that it can be adapted to every place in the world. Imagine a planet where every city, town, suburb, village and neighbourhood has a place where people get together to share locally grown and homemade food, exchange gardening knowledge and build relationships. The benefits and possibilities of this are endless. Crop Swaps are beneficial for the natural environment, enhance the quality of life for the individual and help building well connected communities that are based on generosity and fairness. Imagine a planet where kindness prevails.

Let me take you to a Crop Swap gathering. People carry full boxes and baskets into the community hall, sign in, find a free table and proudly display their goods. Neighbours and friends greet each other, walk around, admire produce, exchange gardening tips and welcome newcomers. Children run around, eye cupcakes and pet the ducklings. The whole room is buzzing with excitement and anticipation. The variety on offer is huge: vegetables, fruits, plants, flowers, seedlings, herbs, eggs, preserves, jams, baking, liquid manure, gardening books, magazines, planting containers, sometimes even chooks who need a new home. After half an hour of admiration and connection time, the swap is opened with a brief introduction and everyone is welcome to take a fair share of what they are interested in. Everything is free. Baskets fill, tables clear and after a quick clean-up everyone leaves with fresh local produce and a big smile.

If you are hosting a crop swap in the future, let us know! We will add it to our calendar for all to participate.